Treasure Hunter, Kim (4)
At that moment, Cao Cao was holding a meeting with his close aides while eating his meal.
It was already his third bowl.
Though known as a big eater, there was something awe-inspiring about Cao Cao's appetite. He devoured his food as if the world might end tomorrow.
It stemmed from the starving days when he fled from Dong Zhuo in the past—those memories had awakened a gluttonous hunger.
"So, anything else from Yizhou?" Cao Cao asked, turning to Xun Yu.
"You mean Liu Bei, my lord."
Xun Yu pinpointed it exactly—Cao Cao's interest lay there.
"They've been fawning over him as the Imperial Uncle and such, but nothing noteworthy since then?"
"Hmm. No arrogance or showboating. He's handling his duties calmly. Plenty of visitors come calling, but he treats them all with utmost courtesy." Xun Yu gave a rough summary.
"Ha! Wise indeed." Cao Cao chuckled heartily, setting down his chopsticks.
Wise. He shows no weaknesses whatsoever. Cao Cao had realized Liu Bei was no pushover.
"And... how goes the recruitment of that general Kim?" Cao Cao inquired.
"Ah, we sent a cart loaded with gifts," Xun Yu replied.
"Good. Well done." The cart brimmed with lavish items: fine silks, gold and jewels, and even a selection of beauties.
"However, the other generals are grumbling. They envy the excessive investment in Kim..." Cheng Yu pointed out the sore spot.
"Hah, can't blame them. But... if we sway Kim, Liu Bei amounts to nothing." Cao Cao stated flatly.
A bold opinion. Even without Kim, Liu Bei had talents like Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Zhao Yun. Yet Cao Cao fixated stubbornly on Kim alone.
"That Lu Bu who allied with Liu Bei lately—she's been surprisingly quiet. Any guesses why?" Cao Cao probed.
"Liu Bei knows how to win people over."
"No. It's Kim. When Lu Bu headed to Xiaopei, Kim went along. Kim has support from the Xiliang soldiers, same as that beast. It's Kim who earned Lu Bu's favor."
"...I see."
"Exactly. He has a knack for drawing people in. He's on good terms with the other Liu Bei generals too. Mok Lan, Guan He, Guli Li, and the rest—they're less Liu Bei's army and more Kim's personal squad."
Cao Cao pierced straight to the heart of Liu Bei's forces.
He could appraise them perfectly without even meeting them—a talent unmatched.
"Pull Kim away, and Liu Bei's power halves. And..."
"..."
"That general Kim excels in both martial prowess and strategy. Perfect for our needs. Not that our generals lack, but with Kim, we'll have even more to conquer ahead."
Cao Cao said this while subtly glancing at Guo Jia.
"...You aim for Guoyou."
Guo Jia read Cao Cao's intent perfectly.
Mentioning Guoyou, Yuan Shao's core, had purpose.
For a large-scale campaign, they needed versatile commanders for frontline duty—everyone knew why Cao Cao craved that.
Cao Cao itched for a showdown with Yuan Shao soon. Overwhelmingly strong as Yuan Shao was, Cao Cao plotted meticulously to devour him.
"As expected of Guo Fengxiao. Talents are never enough. No matter how tight with Liu Bei, a little coaxing and he'll come."
"...My lord." Xun Yu spoke cautiously then.
"Just... you're not eyeing Kim's wives, are you?" Knowing Cao Cao's taste for married women, he raised the point. Worry that woman trouble might botch the recruitment.
"Hahaha!! Xun Yu, true I fancy taken women, but not this time."
"..."
"I don't steal the wives of men I value. I'm not so bewitched by skirts that I lose my judgment."
Cao Cao smirked, rising from his seat.
"I spoke out of turn, my lord." Xun Yu bowed with a fist salute.
Fair enough—Cao Cao never eyed the wives of favorites like He Jin, Dian Wei, or Man Chong. He had that line.
Nom nom.
We hit the dumpling stall from earlier that day—me, Zhao Yun, Cho Seon, and Choi Yeom—enjoying a peaceful bite.
Figured highborn ladies like them wouldn't touch street food, but they devoured it with relish.
"So delicious..." Cho Seon beamed in delight.
"Hehe. Who knew these cute little things packed such flavor." Choi Yeom stroked a dumpling lovingly, as if loath to eat it.
"Warm and tiny. Like a baby." She giggled poking it.
"..."
Comparing dumplings to babies. Poets sure think different.
"Once the world settles... I want to bear a pretty child like these dumplings and live peacefully." Choi Yeom revealed her true heart.
Dumpling-like pretty kid... odd phrasing, but okay.
"You're beautiful and kind, Choi Yeom. You'll meet a good man and live happily."
I said something generic. No clue if the world would settle, but didn't pry.
"M-Me too... I want pretty babies!!" Cho Seon suddenly shouted, jumping in.
"Uh... yeah. Go for it."
"By the way, a cart arrived at your place," Zhao Yun said to me.
"Ah, from the Prime Minister, they said." Bribes, probably. Cao Cao starting his poaching.
"Kim Gong. Any thoughts of switching lords?" Zhao Yun lobbed a straight fastball.
"Switching?"
"They say Cao Cao hungers for talent. He's surely targeting a standout like you..." Zhao Yun deployed kingly insight. A bit dense and directionally challenged, but sharp on this.
"Nah. But am I even that standout?" Way overhyping. Sure, strongish, but baseline for Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun tier. In Shu terms, maybe Jin Dao level.
Wonder where Jin Dao is? Should be in Liu Bei's forces by now, but no sign.
Anyway.
After eating, we headed home together.
"Hubby!!" Bu Yong-hwa greeted me right away.
Silks and gold coins filled the house, plus a gaggle of beauties clustered together. Sent a ton.
"From the Prime Minister..." Yong-hwa eyed me, asking why.
"Hrm. Seems so." Tempting haul, honestly.
"Whatever they offer, take it." I shrugged, gaze drifting to the beauties.
Cao Cao handpicked top-tier stunners; exceptional looks.
But with so many beauties around already... nah, who am I kidding.
Being served by these hotties ain't bad. Emperor who?
But I snapped out quick.
There stood Guan Yu, armored and wielding her crescent blade, rigid despite finished training. Murder in her eyes.
"Split the gold and silks among our folks... send the beauties back." Survival instincts kicked in.
And... high chance these women are spies on orders. Yeah, I know that much.
Probably tasked to gather dirt on my weaknesses. Cao Cao doesn't scruple grabbing leverage for talent grabs. In chaotic times, cut out suspects.
Plus, fighting Guan Yu? I'd lose. Avoid couple spats turning duels. Vision of brutal defeat, then captive-style ravishing.
Surprise: Yong-hwa untrained but strong. No confidence against Guan Yu-Yong-hwa duo.
"M-My lord...!!" "N-No, please!!" "We came to be your concubines..." "Sent back empty-handed, we'll be killed...!"
The women suddenly begged me.
"Going back... causes issues?" Got the gist. Failed spies lose value—likely executed. They feared that.
"Hrm..."
Then a clever fix hit.
"Yong-hwa, you slave away cooking and cleaning. How 'bout using them as maids?"
Spot-on. Yong-hwa couldn't forget volunteer days, always handling army chores. Daily meals, cleaning.
'Must help my husband.' Great wife.
But solo work? Burnout. And pregnant now—no straining.
"Oh. Sounds good." Free labor tempted her too.
"Or enlist fighters in the army," Guan Yu suggested.
Ah, right. Kim Squad needed grunts. Women weaker usually, but with female Guan Yu here, maybe killer sprouts among them.
"C-Cooking or cleaning... such dirty work..." "Soldier? Sweaty labor's no..." They showed true colors.
Groomed beauties, lived off coquetry— balked immediately.
Hate types like this.
"Earn your keep sweating for food!!! Don't expect easy rides!!" I barked, fist raised.
"Go back or do Liu Bei style—pick one." Beauty's wasted on shit mindsets.
Wives like Yong-hwa and Guan Yu best!
"Y-Yes, sir...!" Beauties tearfully joined as Liu Bei laborers.
Yes. Proper.
"Hehe. Kim Gong."
Outside, Zhao Yun and Yeo Po greeted me giggling. Odd duo.
"Classic Kim Gong. Handled wisely." Zhao Yun smiled at the women starting base cleanup per Yong-hwa's orders.
"Hahat!! Love Kim. Good eye for women? Frail weaklings can't birth strong warriors."
Yeo Po grinned madly, slapping my shoulder. Ow. Stop.
"Mm. Strong warriors birth strong heirs." Guan Yu slyly hugged me, face flushing.
"So... let's make one today." Guan Yu showed baby-making resolve.
"Uh, yeah. Sure." Drained again tonight.
"..."
Yeo Po's face stiffened. Guan Yu eyed her triumphantly. Staring contest.
"Kim. Patrol duty later, right? Hit the training grounds after. Got newbies drilled Xiliang-style. Spar with me too. Yeah?" Yeo Po recovered, friendly, then backed off.
"Heh. I win..." Guan Yu muttered victoriously. Some secret showdown while I was out.
A bit later.
Yeo Po furiously brushed Huo's mane in the stables, where he was deep in horse-love bliss.
"So, Kim's seed horse? How's breeding with Red Hare?" Yeo Po yelled at Huo mid-groom.
"Ah. No signs of pregnancy yet," Huo replied leisurely.
"Hurry and mate that seed horse with Red Hare—get her knocked up!! Drugs if needed!" Yeo Po had big plans.
Horses bond, owners bond, become couples...! She dreamed it.
"Horses are far more sensitive than humans. These beauties have their own romance. Let's cheer quietly." Huo chuckled.
"Aargh!!! You horse nut!!" Yeo Po smacked him.
"Lock 'em in a remote room till they fuck or bust!" Yeo Po stormed off, fuming.
"..."
Huo watched her go, steeling his convictions.
Filthy humans can't be trusted... 90% of mankind must vanish. Leave the 1% who feed and groom horses—to serve horses!!
Huo's horse fanaticism deepened.